Greece...

Wearing a cotton dress from Topshop (which was my last week's smart-bargain), I went to have dinner to Little Venice, on Mykonos' seaport.
It seems as if the economic crisis has been forgotten here, a bit because it's summer, and a bit because tourists from certain European countries (Germans, French, Italians, Spanish) have never stopped coming...
But locals here complain and a lot. There are less Greeks, all of them trying to fulfill the new austerity measures. Most shops and boutiques are on sale (still with a lot of stock to sell) and many reservations have been cancelled.
Poor Greece... so beautiful and generous, with so much History... and now living such a tremendous moment.
I love this country dearly and I do wish they can recover as soon as possible!

More on earrings...

There are earrings that are jewels (made with gold, diamonds, pearls, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, etc.) and others that are bijouterie. That is, they are made with semi-precious stones, Swarovsky crystals, enamels and all sorts of fantasies. They are shinny and full of color. They can be from any big designer, such as Lanvin, Dior, Chanel, Ermano Scervino, Prada or Pucci. Or from others exclusively dedicated to design bijouterie, such as Vrba, Gas or Reminescence.

The first should be used only on certain occasions and with certain dress codes. The others can be used in many more opportunities.

It's rather obvious that, when on holidays, in summer and at the beach, you should privilege the second type... First of all because they are easier to adapt to any situation, and secondly, because, if possible, you should avoid traveling with expensive jewels...

Why must one pack 10 pairs of earrings when on holidays...

The sun, the wind (meltemi, the wind of the Greek Cyclades), the sea and the damned humidity can leave your hair in quite a mess... And who wants to go the a hairdresser when in Mykonos?

I've seen no woman with a salon hairdo. This is the kingdom of hair-pins, ponytails and chignons, specially untidy ones. We are on holidays, and there are no photographers around... at last!

So, to look a bit more elegant and glamorous... long live the earrings!!!

They pull up any cotton dress, light up your face and conceal the worst of hairdos. 

They must be long, colorful, shinny and, more then anything, FAKE!! As Coco Chanel used to say: "It's time the real thing imitates the fake..."

Attention: use them only at night, never during the day. I learned that from my friend Myriam, who has lots of experience in Mediterranean vacations, which are not the same as those in Punta del Este, where there's always a Roberto Giordano's salon around the corner, opened till very very late...

Contrasts...

Today I travelled to Greece.
It's the holiday season in Europe, today is Saturday and everyone is happy and relaxed. One can never be sad when going to Mykonos, the island of parties, of sun and beaches. And a place far from Paris, with its awful weather and unusual cold. Our concerns over Greece's debt are left for some other time...
All girls here look like Kate Moss at her best, with the right looks and the artfully untidy hair. The men, tanned and handsome.
I was sad to read about the death of Lucien Freud on the plane. I had the privilege of meeting him last year, during his Paris exhibition, and I felt so happy... He is one of my favorite artists, if not THE favorite. But well, he was 88: it's kind of normal to die at that age.
And then, in my hotel room, overlooking the sea, with its islands and reddish dusk, I learned about Amy Winehouse's death...
I loved her as an artist, admired her incredible talent. Of course I did not shared her lifestyle, or self-destruction I shall say, so opposite to who I am, to my love for life, well-being, health and good habits.
But I felt devastated... To die on a sunny July day, at age 27... No matter if it was her "choice." Awful all the same...
I listened to her song "Love is a losing game" on my iPhone... and I wished Amy would finally find some peace...

Packing...

There's nothing more boring, and yet impossible to delegate (with the risk of finding just what you don't need), than packing your luggage.
Believe me, I have experience on the matter. I've been packing and unpacking for years! And even more this time around, when I'm in Paris during the European summer, and constantly hopping from one place to another.
This is why I've developed my own personal method, which starts with a sheet of paper and a pen: how many days will I be traveling? 10? 5? I check on the web the weather forecast of my destination.
I then write down how many times I'll be dining out. If I'll be going out 10 times, then I'll be needing 10 different outfits. That will require 10 pairs of earrings (stored in individual plastic bags). Shoes, I chose pairs that work with as many looks as possible. They weight too much and are bulky. The ones I carry travel in their own fabric bags. Purses, also a few... Normally I do just fine with two Judith Leiber clutched, a golden and a black one.
If I'm going to the beach, I calculate 10 bikinis, with shorts and cover-ups to match. The same with my gym outfits: shorts and tank tops in Summer, sweat pants and hoodies for Winter.
Once I've wrote down all I'll be needing, I take out the items from my wardrobe and start organizing my looks. Nothing is left unplanned.
For some years now me beloved Louis Vuitton suitcases serve only for decoration... To heavy to use nowadays. Airlines have firm weight restrictions: never more than 20-23 kilos per piece. So I've gave them up and replaced them for simple black bags (customized with yellow and red ribbons for easy recognition) for my trips around Europe and to Uruguay. For intercontinental flights, I prefer T. Anthony's suitcases. If I want everything to arrive perfectly, I put sheets of white silk paper in between dresses.

The heavy stuff goes under and the lighter things on top.

Shoes, my creams and make-up products go on a separate bag. But, of course, if I must travel light, I take the precaution of storing all liquids in well-closed plastic bags.

When returning back, however, I'm not that organized!!!

I always carry fabric bags to store my laundry and I never forget a book or two.

For longer trips, I carry in cabin a cashmere blanket (a gift given to me a long time ago), a black gym pant and a black cardigan, which I wear as soon as I find my seat. I remove my make-up and use a strong hydrating cream. Then I try to drink a glass of water per hour of flight. And I carry my own snacks, because plane food is usually too salty or fatty.

What else?

Have a nice trip!!!

Leaving Tuscany to return to Paris...

In Montepulciano, at the Dionora...

Jean Paul Gaultier's Haute Couture Runway show...

As it happens every year, the first week of July is that of the Fall-Winter Haute Couture runway shows...

And I couldn't miss the chance to see a fun and fantastic show as the ones Jean-Paul Gaultier proposes every season.

At the 325 of Rue St. Martin, were he has his atelier and runway hall (a real privilege because not all designers have both on the same place), by 2:30 pm, there were already lots of black Mercedes with drivers bringing the "precious" clients from Russia, the Emirates, India and America. But also, of course, the many fashion editors covering the show, although I did not see Anna Wintour.

There's always a Hollywood star invited, and this time it was the turn of Milla Jovovich, who came with her husband, director Paul W. S. Anderson, and her little daughter Ever Gabo.

Of course, the show began with an-hour delay, as usual. But this time we were given fancy feather fans to stand the summer heat.

Anyway, it was worth the wait, because the show was sensational and better than previous ones, I shall say. For the first time, there were also men on the runway, wearing totally crazy looks, such as feathery skirts or lace trousers with Swarovsky cristals. Very exotic, but yet beautiful.

As for women (all of them with feather arrangements on their heads), we saw coats and suits for the day in tweed or with details in fur, but also black pants, lots of leather, some skirts and the classic Gaultier trench. For the night, sumptuous dresses and shinny fourreaux.

The last look was modeled by Mylène Farmer, the famous French singer, who looked divine.

And of course, him... the eternal "enfant terrible" of the Fashion world, as always, running along his runway, with an ear-to-ear smile.

A real pleasure to witness such unique show...

Royal wedding in Monaco...

Quit a warming sun, in a July afternoon, in a splendid ship on the waters of St. Tropez, to tune on TV the royal wedding of Prince Albert... One must really be willing to do so!!

But my friends and I did exactly that to follow the live broadcast from Monaco.

First of all, because a wedding is always interesting, specially for us, women. And secondly, because we wanted to be witnesses of the day Charlene would be becoming Princess of Monaco and, of course, judge her wedding dress...

The truth is that Armani's work did not disappoint. The designer knew exactly how to enhance the body of the new Princess (a former Olympic swimmer) and her coiffeur created for her a hairdo that really looked great on her.

She was perfect.

The ceremony itself was impeccable and the choice of music, with the sublime "Ave Maria," performed by Andrea Bocelli, made us cry. We, women, usually cry at weddings... It's no surprise...

So now it's time to wait for magazines as Hello! and Point de Vue to see the looks of all the guests...

Source: www.hola.com.ar

Maeght Fundation...

Under Miró's Arch, at Maeght Fundation, in St. Paul de Vence...

At the Hôtel de Talleyrand...

This June, in the mundane Paris that wishes to leave behind the Winter and see the city under better lights (those of Summer, of course) and meet with friends to talk about everything and nothing, you must attend one of the many gatherings taking place these days...

Precisely this week I had the honor of being invited by Bertrand du Vignaud, President of the WMF Europe, to their Diner held every year in June. The World Monument Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to restore the most important and incredible monuments on Earth and has chapters in more than a 100 cities. This is all possible thanks to the generosity of many donors... many many!

For example, WMF Europe, between 2010 and 2011, was able to restore the Kollegienkirche of Salzbourg, the facade of the Belvedere and the doors and balustrades of the Villa dei Vescovi, both in Prague, and the Roman Church of San Clement de Casauria, in Abruzzo, two years after the earthquake. And so many other projects are on the works... Fascinating!

WMF Europe has its headquarters in one of the most beautiful, historic and important palaces in Paris: the Hôtel de Talleyrand, which has a long, long history.

First it was known as Hôtel St. Florentin, because of Louis-Phelypeaux, Count of St. Florentin and future Duke of La Vrillière, who was Secretary of State to King Louis XV. The Hotel was finished by 1769 thanks to the work of the architect Chalgrin, When St. Florentin died, the Hotel went to the Duke Fitz Roy and later to de Duchess de Infantado. In 1812 it was finally bought by Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, a great politician of his time and a key piece of French History. He would live there until his death, in 1838. Around that time the Hôtel is bought by James de Rothschild, being the Rothschilds the only owners until 1950. 

It it with them that the building reaches its highest splendor. However, the years of war, its many horrors and the German occupation in Paris, pushes the family to sell it to the American Government, which will first use it as headquarters for the Marshall Plan and, later, as US Consulate in Paris. A restoration process is began shortly after, ending in 2007 and taking the Hôtel to its original blueprint.

Today it is rented by a Law Firm and the WMF Europe.

It was in its halls, with such Past and splendor, that the dinner was held... with a breathtaking view of the Place de la Concorde.

Of course all the donors of the WMF were there, mostly Americans, and the "tout" Paris: women in long dresses and men in smoking.

As I love History and its traditions, it was a privilege to me to be able to be in a place were so many important people in France spent their time...

Dinner to honor Archi Lanús...

Apart from Gardel, there are, and there's been, few Argentine so loved and respected here in France as Archibaldo Lanús.

Along the decade he spent in Paris, as Argentine Ambassador, Archi created strong bonds of friendship with an important part of the French society, and his invitations to the residence on Ave. Foch, be it to celebrate the 9th of July or to listen to a Tango ensemble, were all very cherished.

As no one he knew how to interest his French friends in Argentine culture and when he left, in 2005, there's been at least 30 farewell dinners... Never seen before!

Now, he returns every year, in June, and the French ladies call for themselves the right to offer him dinners and lunches months ahead.

This week was the turn of Francoise Gallimard, heir to the publishing house Gallimard, who gathered in her floor on Rue de Lille around 30 guests, among whom were the Princess María Pía de Savoia, Princess Alix Napoleón, the Bragance, Michel de Bourbon-Parme, Prince Amin Aga Khan, his Royal Highness Michel of France, Baroness Hottinguer... It felt like a dinner out of "The Recherche du Temps Perdu," by Marcel Proust, from 1911, not from 2011. It must have been quite hard for the host to arrange the sitting order respecting a certain protocol with so many aristocrats... I was lucky: in spite of being younger than other princesses, I was placed in Archi's table.

Archi brought a latin touch, hiring a band of musicians from Paraguay, who played such songs as "El Rey" and "Guantanamera."

As I left, they were inviting guests to dance to the rhythm of "Marina," a hit from the 60s...

PS: And now that we are pretending to be Proust, let me tell you that I wore an Oscar de la Renta black dress, with huge white sequins details on the skirt... Before you ask!!

Argentine Polo in Paris...

Under a grey and rainy sky, a Polo match was held this afternoon at the Marus Sanctus field, just outside of Paris.

The French have always been huge fans of watching and playing Polo. And, of course, the Argentine players, considered the best in the world, are well-received in this country to play and teach the secrets of such an elegant and elitist sport.

Today, Patrick Guerrand Hermès's team, La Palmeraie, faced La Bamba de Areco.

As special guests among the players were the Pieres brothers, Facundo and Gonzalo, both with a handicap of 10. Also Lucas Monteverde, Francisco Bensadón and Facundo Sola, with handicaps between 9 and 6.

The cup at stake honored Mathias Guerrand-Hermès, who died too young a little more than a year ago and a great Polo lover, as also his father Patrick.

Each of us could help with a contribution to benefit the Coronel Moldes Hospital in Córdoba.

Between the downpours and the rays of sun, which came out randomly, and with a crowd happy to see such Polo stars, the match was fantastic. As it was expected.

Once again, the bonds between Argentina and France proved to be stronger than ever...

My American Tournée...

Et voilá je suis ici... Here I'm, back in Europe, in front of my trustworthy PC, contemplating Paris' grey skies through the corner of my eyes... After so many visual stimulus in the US, it's relaxing and rather dull.

The truth is that New York in June, under a radiant sun and a pre-summer atmosphere, full of tourists, is better than ever.

And there's so much to do... For example, sales-shopping (40% off almost everywhere) and witnessing the twice-a-year show (in June and December) held at the shoes floor in Bergdorf, Saks or Barneys: hundreds of women fighting over their objects of desire, to see if they can get them a little less expensive.

And in a more interesting level, there's always the amazing exhibits at the local museums, so well-organized. Of course, my sister and I couldn't miss the chance to see the fabulous retrospective on Alexander McQueen at the Metropolitan Museum.

And it was worth it... "Savage Beauty," that the name of the exhibit, is a visual journey through unusual, creative and emotional concepts. A bit because McQueen died too young (killed himself at age 40), a bit because he's always been Fashion's naughty boy and a bit because he had an incredible talent... in less than fifteen years he knew how to leave a deep footprint in all those who, like me, love fashion.

The exhibit highlights all the obscure aspects of his personality... Wind, lights, noises... You feel as being transported into the romantic, melancholic and sad fantasy of an English boy...

And the gowns... The red silk cape, the black feathers dress, the lace, the leather sadomasochist bustiers... A different sexuality, weird and yet fascinating...

But enough... all of you passing through New York, don't miss the chance to see it and buy the catalog, specially edited for the occasion, with his face on the cover, which metamorphoses into a skull, depending on how you move the book...

Travelling...

My apologies for not writting...
I'm currently travelling through the US but I will soon return to Paris...
Till then, see you soon!

Harper's Bazaar in Argentina...

This afternoon I went to the cocktail to celebrate the launch of the Argentine version of the magazine Harper's Bazaar. Finally this great fashion and beauty magazine has its local edition.

Her editor-in-chief is Ana Torrejón, who already has a long and interesting experience in the world of fashion magazines for women, because she used to be in charge of the Argentine Elle Magazine.

The cocktail took place at the Faena Hotel, where I haven't been for a long time and still keeps that Argentine-modern charm: a mixture of local-antique with New York futurism. I love it.

But back to the cocktail, everyone was there, of course because the Grupo Mass+ organized it all. From a representative of the American Harper's Bazaar to Juliana Awada, lots of models and other magazine editors, together with many journalists covering the event (even my beloved Roberto Funes Ugarte was there working for C5N).

Everything turned out perfectly and it was lovely to see so many friends again. Before you ask, I wore my blue one-shoulder Lanvin which I took to the Sotheby's Gala in Paris. My sister also chose a Lanvin, but hers, more daring and original, with black feathers.

I hope the magazine meets a huge success here. 

Later, together with Roberto, I went to the Restaurant Tô, at the Hotel Mio Buenos Aires. It was a first for me and I was positively impressed by the decoration and general look of the place. Great food, argentine-japanese fusion. I felt as if being in Los Angeles, with a touch of local tango.

Another restaurant I visited these past days is that of the Hotel Algodon Mansion. Excellent. Both in Recoleta, which has become again an IT neighborhood...

I'm behaving like a tourist in the city where I've lived half of my life... and I can tell it has changed a lot... for the better.

Martín Fierro 2011 (Part II)...

Fighting hard not to fall asleep (I got back from Paris on Saturday, so I was still suffering the 5-hour time difference), I saw almost the entire Martín Fierro Awards ceremony.

I found the general look much better than in previous years, although there was a "surplus" of jewels (which I only like on one-color dresses, with no details or embroideries...) and some dramatic hair-dos. But, I repeat, in general, I liked what I saw.

Natalia Oreiro looked impeccable with the three dresses she chose. With a light and fresh make-up, she looked charming and comfortable in her hosting role. I would only criticize her first hair-do, a chignon to one side, only because I don't like it myself. I usually prefer something more classic.

I liked Verónica Lozano and found Viviana Canosa sexy with her turquoise necklace. Her hair, however, was too long...

Marcelo Tinelli is such a handsome man, but I would have suggested him a classic smoking and not the one he used.

I liked Mike Amigorena and his eccentricities. He makes me laugh.

Now, I'll wait for the photos!

Martín Fierro 2011...

I jumped out of my bed, where I'm watching the Martín Fierro Awards, to write my first impressions... I must have Twitter!

(I do, but I'm still not into it...)

Well, up to now, I've seen very beautiful women and some interesting dresses... Of course, and sorry for not being unbiased, I must mention my sister, with a tight black Oscar de la Renta. She was specially invited to cover the event for her fashion column in Revista Caras, where she's now collaborating. Then, very nice was Natalia Oreiro's green dress, also an Oscar... It belonged to the 2011 Resort Collection... I know it to be so because I have all the catalogs! It reminded me of one I have from 2008, also in green and, of course, from De la Renta too.

I saw lots of red dresses, like those used by Cecilia Roth and Inés Estévez. Charming was the Benito Fernández chosen by Laura Novoa (although she paired it with too much jewels for my taste) and Susana Giménez ruby necklace. I loved Leticia Brédice's white dress, although I found her hair too dyed (she must use it like that for her character in El Elegido), and Catherine Fulop's hair-do. Very modern...

Now, back to my bed and the TV...

Cannes is over...

After 11 days of movies and fashion, this afternoon, with the award ceremony, Cannes Film Festival said goodbye till next year.

As it was predicted, the "Palm d'Or" was given to the movie "The Tree of Life," by Terrence Malick. This American director is not so popular among the great audience (in 40 years he only made 5 movies) but experts and movie critics consider him a unique artist, almost like Stanley Kubrick.

The award for Best Male Performance was given to the French actor Jean Dujardin for his role in "The Artist." I love Dujardin, who's good-looking, talented and a great dancer. Kirsten Dunst received the Best Female Performance award... I don't like her very much, but I'm sure she deserved it.

I want to point out again the supreme elegance of Jane Fonda, who handed out the Palm d'Or. She wore a long, nude and embroidered dress that looked perfect on her. Très chic.

Also beautiful (again!) was Uma Thurman's look: a French blue dress, opened in the back with a sexy cleavage... A true goddess!

Tonight we'll have, although more modest but not less important, the Martín Fierro Awards.

I'll be back with my comments... See you.

My "Palms" to Elegance in Cannes...

For a week now in France (and in the rest of the world), we've been following the Cannes Film Festival which, apart from being one of the most important festivals because of the quality of the movies in competition and the line-up of directors (all of them proud to be chosen to participate), it has become a runway to fashion, elegance and unique glamour. 

L'Oreal (French group owning several beauty brands) and Chopard are the main sponsors of the Festival and they both hire models and actresses to show their beauties on the Red Carpet leading to the steps of the Palais du Festival, were movies are daily premiered. So every afternoon it's a treat to watch the arrival of stars, broadcasted live by Canal +, another of the main sponsors.

This year we've seen everything: beautiful women, one or two looking totally ridiculous, and others simply stunning. 

My awards to Elegance this year go to three actresses...

Number one: Jane Fonda

At 73, the American actress shone with her body (slim and perfect), her hair (she is one of the faces of L'Oreal products) and her beautiful dresses (a white Pucci, a golden-green Cavalli), with no cleavage, and long-sleeved, because, in spite of being the queen of fitness, she knows that at a certain age it's best to hide the arms!

Number two: Uma Thurman

With her white Atelier Versace dress, she looked splendid! Her loose, untidy chignon, her long green earrings, her body, her height... Everything, just perfect!

Number three: Angelina Jolie

I found her dress simply beautiful (although I'm not into that color). Also her hair, her face and... Brad Pitt by her arm... Such an "interesting" accessory.

The ones I liked less?

Penélope Cruz (a dramatic dress and a weird hair-do) and Melanie Griffith (a too-detailed look). I did not like Argentine actress Marina Guzmán's shoes. Just not glamorous enough.

There are still too days to go... 

I'll be back with more...